Soldier On

Life After Deployment | Thursday, 9 p.m.

The challenges that women veterans face when adjusting to civilian life are examined via the stories of three female veterans. Among the challenges: PTSD; the disintegration of relationships; alcohol and substance abuse; depression; health problems; military sexual trauma; and employment difficulties.

Song Stage

Margaret vs. Kenny | Friday, 7 p.m.

We continue revisiting Season One of Song Stage with this matchup between Margaret Bianchetta and Kenny Jamis.

Austin City LImits

Globe Trekker

Tough Boats: The Arctic | Saturday, 7 p.m.

Ian Wright travels to the high Arctic from the coast of northern Norway, working his passage on a trawler fishing for cod before continuing his voyage on a specially ice-strengthened vessel around Spitsbergen, the world's northernmost inhabited islands. Ian's tough Arctic journey starts in fishing port of Tromso, more than 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. From here, aboard the fishing trawler Hermes, he travels another 300 miles north to rich fishing ground near remote Bear Island.

Notice to WEIU Viewers with DirecTV Service

Weâ€™re reaching out to you today because of an urgent issue that is impacting your ability to view WEIU programs. DirecTV has recently relocated one of its satellite receivers to an AT&T building in Decatur, which was formerly located in Springfield.

Normally, this would not be an issue, as Decatur is still in our market as defined by the FCC. However, WEIU signals do not reach this location in Decatur with the minimum quality required by the DirecTV.

As a result, DirecTV has dropped WEIU from its satellite carriage â€” and viewers who have previously been able to receive our unique programming like Being Well, City Spotlight, The Paw Report, NewsWatch can now no longer watch these programs at home.

As part of a must-carry agreement, DirecTV is required to fund any expenses we would incur in providing them our signal if this relocation happened before a normal renewal cycle (which it has) ... unfortunately, this doesnâ€™t seem to be happening.

This is why we need your help. Please reach out to DirecTV and request that it carries WEIU â€” let them know how important it is for this channel to come back in your viewing area.
Please call DirecTV at 1-855-802-3473 and let them know that WEIU is an educational programming asset in your community and you canâ€™t afford to lose it.

Sandy Roberts - Champaign, IL

"I enjoy watching Heartland Highways because the two women on that show take you all over the state. You always learn a lot by watching that show."

WEIU membership is important to Sandy, and you can also be a proud member! Also, send us a message and let us know what WEIU means to you!

Sandy Roberts - Champaign, IL

"I love the fact that on Saturday nights from 8 p.m. til midnight you have movies!"

WEIU membership is important to Sandy, and you can also be a proud member! Also, send us a message and let us know what WEIU means to you!

Jack Neal - General Manager

When Did You Start at WEIU? 2010

Favorite Show on WEIU-TV: This is a tough one! I'm a fan of everything we do both on the air as well as in the world of education. But truth be told, my favorites are locally produced programs. Heartland Highways gives me a chance to see some of the many amazing places in this wonderful area we call home. I've seen places on Heartland Highways that lifelong east central Illinois residents didn't know existed...and then made the short drive to see those places up close and personal myself. And I've learned so much about some of the most interesting people who are our neighbors.

Another of my top three would be Four Rivers Ag Report. Though I'm not a farmer, I live on a working farm and see the daily ag activity that drives our area. No matter what we do, we are a part of agriculture. And I find that fascinating. The things I've learned about our farm community as a result of Four Rivers are pretty amazing. And as much as Four Rivers Ag Report focuses on the farmers in our area, it does just as good a job of celebrating our rural lifestyle.

Last but not least is News Watch. There is nowhere else to find the kind of coverage News Watch provides our area. Even in a world of 24/7 online and cable/satellite news services, I find News Watch the only place to watch and learn what's happening in OUR community. It's unique.

What have you learned while working at WEIU? This could be a chapter in itself!In my case, I came to WEIU after working in public broadcasting for decades.I'd worked for many stations in many parts of the country. My fascination with WEIU was two-fold: The fact that WEIU is MORE than a PBS station, and the opportunity to live in this incredible community. Being a part of a non-commercial TV station that goes so far beyond programming what most PBS stations provide has allowed me to learn an amazing number of new things about our world. And being in the east central Illinois community has taught me just how special and unique this place is. I've learned that what may appear on the outside to be an unchanging environment becomes a wealth of different sights, sounds and experiences with the march of the seasons, the constantly varying weather and the beautiful lighting variations of each passing day.

Why should someone become a member of WEIU? WEIU is certainly not like most TV stations. We're obviously nothing like a commercial TV station which is funded by commercials based on the number of people watching each program. Yet, we're also different than most non-commercial TV stations, as well ... both in what we air and who we aim to serve. And that's important to me. As I've seen more of the media universe surround us with an array of programs, news, shopping channels and pretty much anything you could imagine, I still find WEIU the ONLY place where I can learn about MY neighbors and MY community. I know such a service is not going to be supported by other communities or by commercial sponsors. I frankly wouldn't expect it to be. So I find it important to support that service that serves me and the people who are my neighbors. It seems to be part of the American way of taking care of those things that are important to us. At least that's how I see it!

WEIU is very important to me and I hope to you, as well.

Is WEIU as important to you as it is to Jack? Become a member today! Also, send us a message and let us know what WEIU means to you!

We love to hear from you!

Most of TV is pathetic. I think your offering is outstanding and a lovely way spend an evening. Please, oh please, keep it up.

-- Nancy, Sigel

Is WEIU as important to you as it is to Nancy? Become a member today! Also, send us a message and let us know what WEIU means to you!

Larry Bushu - Our Story Bonus Feature

Larry Bushu tells about some of the unique coffee cups owned by members of the Coffee Club in Arcola.

Larry would love for you to tune in to Effingham: This is Our Story on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. We hope you'll join us!

A Craftsman's Legacy

A visit with master ceramist David MacDonald includes working with clay and making a bowl.

Nazi Mega Weapons

V1: Hitler's Vengeance Missile | Thursday, 8 p.m.

The story of the V-1 missile, which was a forerunner of the modern cruise missile.

State & Water

The Original Skazz Band (Part 2) | Friday, 7:30 p.m.

What is so original about The Original Skazz Band? The obvious answer is Skazz. Simply the combination of Jazz and Ska music. The influence of Ska doesn't come through a lot of big bands, but the answer is so much more than that. Everything is original about this group. Every arrangement played by the band is done by band leader Casey Doremus. There is no other band playing this music.

Live From the Artists Den

Young the Giant | Friday, 9 p.m.

Young the Giant perform. The set includes "Something to Believe In," "My Body," "Cough Syrup," "Mind Over Matter," "Jungle Youth" and "Titus Was Born."

Canadian Rockies By Rail

Saturday | 8 p.m.

A tour of the Pacific Northwest and the Canadian Rockies via the Rocky Mountaineer explores the region's people, history and culture; and also the history of the railroad and its importance to Canada.